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24 Years Prison for Home Invasion Robbery of 70-year-old Arvada Man

Ivan A. Garcia, DOB: 3-13-82, appeared in Jefferson County District Court on November 14 when was sentenced to prison for 24 years for an armed home-invasion robbery of a 70-year-old Arvada man.

On August 16, 2017 John Woodruff, who worked for the Stanley Steamer Carpet Cleaning Company, was finishing up at Paul Joyce’s home at 9179 W. 50th Lane when Ivan Garcia approached him, brandishing a gun. Garcia ordered Woodruff inside the house. Still brandishing a gun, he ordered both Woodruff and Joyce to the ground, demanding money and their cell phones. Woodruff resisted and there was a struggle, during which time Garcia pistol whipped Woodruff.

During the struggle, Garcia had his arm around Woodruff’s neck, holding him in a headlock. This move proved valuable to investigators in that it provided Arvada police with DNA which helped identify Mr. Garcia.

Also of assistance to police was that Mr. Joyce had installed a doorbell surveillance camera system which helped identify that Mr. Garcia was at the house. “As our citizens age, a doorbell camera or other surveillance system can provide added security and a sense of safety,” said DA Pete Weir.

On October 4, 2018 Garcia pled guilty to Second Degree Kidnapping (F2); Aggravated Robbery (F3); Robbery of an At-Risk Adult (F3); and two violent crime counts (sentence enhancers). He had five prior felony convictions and had been released on bond in another case just days before this offense.

“Arvada police did an outstanding job in this case. The lead detective, Aaron Buemi, never let up; he was determined to bring justice for Mr. Joyce and Mr. Woodruff,” said DA Pete Weir, “As a result of the teamwork between Arvada police and our Elder Abuse Unit, Ivan Garcia has been held accountable.”